Roof Top Tent. Should I or Shouldn't I...

[Frenzyrider]

I am seriously debating whether to get an RTT. A good popup ground tent like Gazelle gives far more space and is a quick setup. I am not sure want to spend that much extra especially since we are a family of four. We are going to rough it out couple of times with a quick popup ground tent like Gazelle and also rent out a trailer like an X-adventure or an Alpha.
If I go wheeling, I will be alone or with my wife so I can quickly setup a 2 person ground tent.
Don't know yet. I should really want it to get it.

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[ron168]

I am seriously debating whether to get an RTT. A good popup ground tent like Gazelle gives far more space and is a quick setup. I am not sure want to spend that much extra especially since we are a family of four. We are going to rough it out couple of times with a quick popup ground tent like Gazelle and also rent out a trailer like an X-adventure or an Alpha.
If I go wheeling, I will be alone or with my wife so I can quickly setup a 2 person ground tent.
Don't know yet. I should really want it to get it.

I find that the RTT and an Annex provides plenty of space for 4+. Once you get used to it, it's a 10 minute exercise open and close. The RTT mattress is really comfortable. We've had 3 in the RTT and 2 in the Annex on Cots. Last trip we brought our canoe and paddle boards. Couldn't be happier with the setup.

 

[AmishMike]

I am seriously debating whether to get an RTT. A good popup ground tent like Gazelle gives far more space and is a quick setup. I am not sure want to spend that much extra especially since we are a family of four. We are going to rough it out couple of times with a quick popup ground tent like Gazelle and also rent out a trailer like an X-adventure or an Alpha.
If I go wheeling, I will be alone or with my wife so I can quickly setup a 2 person ground tent.
Don't know yet. I should really want it to get it.

Rent the trailer and see how you like that with the RTT.
I have an older Cabela's truck tent that is essentially a cabin tent that extends over and wraps around the back of the truck like a sock. The neat part of that is that you can disconnect from the truck and leave the tent standing.
However, I do have a RTT on it's way. Anything to make it more enticing for the wife. The annex makes room for extra people and there are roll bar hammocks out there for the kids.

 

[Frenzyrider]

I find that the RTT and an Annex provides plenty of space for 4+. Once you get used to it, it's a 10 minute exercise open and close. The RTT mattress is really comfortable. We've had 3 in the RTT and 2 in the Annex on Cots. Last trip we brought our canoe and paddle boards. Couldn't be happier with the setup.

How do you like the ROAM tent. I like Annex if they have a closed flooring unlike iKamper or Roofnest Annex.

 

[ron168]

How do you like the ROAM tent. I like Annex if they have a closed flooring unlike iKamper or Roofnest Annex.

I like it a lot. The cover is very thick and durable. Has the rainfly which is effective. The annex does have a removable floor. It keeps the bugs and moisture out. The prices went up on these, but still less than a hard cover tent.

 

[dsrtnights]

How do you close it from the front on the hardtop side?

Got our Roofnest Eagle on the Jeep for the first time this weekend! This sort of tent adds a ton of value as far as setup times and ease of use - absolutely worth it in my opinion.

 

[AXISJT]

How do you close it from the front on the hardtop side?

That gray strap hanging down right there he can just open one of the rear doors of the jeep stand up on it then pull the strap down

 

[johnchabin]

Got the ARB. Getting off the ground is a game changer. I added an air mattress inside… setup is 10-15 minutes if I’m taking my time.

I pointed the ladder out the back so I could open all the awnings.

 

[OneTraveler]

That gray strap hanging down right there he can just open one of the rear doors of the jeep stand up on it then pull the strap down

Ultimately, that's what made me sell mine and switch to a wedge style. I LOVED my 4-sided, but the angle for puling to close caused the system to rack instead. If I camped more with a partner or was a little taller maybe it would have been different. The sacrifice I made in space was more than made up with ease of closure. Had it for a year, loved it. Have had the wedge for 3 years, still do.

 

[Alaskantinbender]

A lot has changed in the five years since this thread began. I started looking for a replacement hard shell this week. My old Roofnest Gen 1 Sparrow EYEs plastic/composite top is starting to crack along the molded channel on top. Its been riding on top of my truck 3 years in the Arizona sun. This all-aluminum RTT showed up in my feed from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWDQFYJ...8HUDH9SB&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Seems it has good reviews online. Does anyone have any experience with it? For the price, it's hard to resist pulling the trigger.

 

[MPMB]

A lot has changed in the five years since this thread began. I started looking for a replacement hard shell this week. My old Roofnest Gen 1 Sparrow EYEs plastic/composite top is starting to crack along the molded channel on top. Its been riding on top of my truck 3 years in the Arizona sun. This all-aluminum RTT showed up in my feed from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWDQFYJ...8HUDH9SB&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Seems it has good reviews online. Does anyone have any experience with it? For the price, it's hard to resist pulling the trigger.

No experience. There's copycats and manufacturer side hustle, so you never really know how the RTT will hold up. Years ago I found a tent maker in China who was making a Coleman tent that Coleman discontinued. Per unit cost was something like $100, but the Coleman one was $400+. The only drawback was you had to buy 5,000 units.

So you could "take the risk" and buy the RTT at half the cost, but you likely won't get any worthwhile support if anything goes wrong or breaks.

I imagine a lot of RTT makers who outsource production have similar situations happening. We have a Thule Tepui Basin. You can find virtually the same tent on Amazon from some seller named "EKGOAHED" for $800-1000.

We bought name-brand for the customer support, because we're now on our 2nd one; the first one had a manufacturing process defect where they pop-riveted the trim/seal to the fiberglass shell in the corner. Naturally, that's where the shell cracked, running 4" cracks on opposite corners. It cracked in less than 6mo of ownership. We had only used it once. But since it was Thule/Tepui, we got a replacement one under warranty. And lo and behold, the corner rivets aren't there!

pic of the initial crack:

The new tent is now 1 year, 3mo old and has no problems. And it includes an 80-hour, near 3600-mile trek from Utah to Columbus, Indiana to OKC to Albuquerque to Moab to home when we first got it. Then a second multi-state trek (and days, whew) to Grand Tetons to Arches to Grand Canyon, to Southern CA, to Yosemite and back home, this time covering only ~2600mi.

 

[1945gpw]

Really enjoying our TopOak RTT. Keep an eye on their website for ones with a little damage from shipping to their warehouse. Mine had two dents on the top and got a killer deal on it.

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